Southern Miss President Honors Faculty, Programs at Inaugural Ready for Life Champion Awards

Tue, 02/24/2026 - 09:13am | By: Jennifer Rigney

Faculty members and academic programs across The University of Southern Mississippi were recognized Monday, Feb. 23, during the inaugural Ready for Life Champion Awards ceremony hosted by Southern Miss President Dr. Joe Paul at the Ogletree House on the Hattiesburg campus.

Created by Paul, the Ready for Life Champion Awards recognize and reward faculty members and academic programs leading innovative efforts to prepare Southern Miss students to thrive professionally and personally through experiential learning, mentorship, industry partnerships and career-readiness initiatives.

“In my inaugural address in the fall of 2023, I shared a vision for Southern Miss that we are uniquely positioned and nimble enough to embrace the notion of creating graduates who are truly and uniquely ready for life, ready to make a great living and live an extraordinary life,” said Paul. “I knew it would best grow organically from our outstanding faculty and academic programs. I am happy to report that we are seeing more and more initiatives that support the Ready for Life vision and, more importantly, are giving our students a distinctive education and preparation for life.”

“Our esteemed faculty are developing programs with fundamentally different approaches, building lasting student-mentor relationships and capitalizing on private-sector support,” Paul added. “It is my honor to recognize and reward best efforts currently in practice, as well as exciting new proposals to enable student success.”

Eight recipients received $5,000 each to support the continued development of their projects or professional development activities. An additional two recipients received special commendations along with a $2,000 gift. Funding for the awards was provided through the USM Foundation.

The award recipients are as follows: 

READY FOR LIFE 2026 CHAMPIONS

Claire L. Hamilton (Individual Award)
Associate Professor, School of Construction and Design
Hamilton was recognized for integrating practical, real-world learning experiences throughout the interior design curriculum. Through initiatives such as the Designer Showhouse and Spec Home projects, personality-profiling exercises and engagement with guest speakers from the design and construction industries, students gain hands-on experience that mirrors professional practice.

Her commitment to professional preparation is demonstrated through Portfolio Development and Portfolio Presentation courses, as well as her service as faculty adviser for the American Society of Interior Designers. The organization hosts the annual Interior Design Product Show and raises funds to support student competition fees.

Hamilton has also implemented inclusive, experiential learning practices through collaborations with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the Moffitt Health Clinic, the Marine Research Facility and the Southern Miss Writing Center.

“The program curriculum mirrors interior design professional practice and requires students to reflect on their skills and traits so they understand their role on project teams and learn to communicate as professionals,” said Dr. Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Through its emphasis on guest speakers and field trips, the program connects students with industry leaders who often invite them to intern and recruit them for salaried positions after graduation.”

Julia Bradley (Individual Award)
Instructor, School of Accountancy
Bradley was recognized for innovative course design in Accounting 311, which prepares students for internships and full-time employment through interview preparation, resume writing and career exploration. The course integrates recent graduates and guest speakers from multiple industry sectors and has been featured at the Mississippi Society of CPAs Accounting Educator Conference for its success in preparing students for the field.

She also was honored for her leadership of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honor society, which maintains more than 50 active members and receives Gold Status (highest recognition) annually from its executive office. The organization hosts professional meetings, networking opportunities, guest speakers and service projects that provide meaningful insight into the profession. In 2024, Bradley developed the Golden Accounting Affiliate Program, an affiliate program of Beta Alpha Psi for freshman and sophomore students, allowing earlier exposure to the field.

In addition, she leads Meet the Firms, the School of Accountancy’s annual networking event connecting students with firm representatives to discuss internships and employment opportunities.

“Ms. Bradley’s innovative leadership and dedication to student success embody the very essence of this honor,” said Dr. Bret Becton, dean of the College of Business and Economic Development. “She has built a model of career readiness and life-skills integration that has profoundly impacted Southern Miss students.”

School of Construction and Design (School/Program Award)
The School of Construction and Design was celebrated for expanding experiential learning and industry engagement through initiatives including the Construction Practices Laboratory, established in 2023 through an industry partnership with DeWalt. The lab supports hands-on instruction and a new experiential learning elective that has enabled service-learning projects with Camp Kamassa and the Center for Military Veterans, Service Members and Families.

The school also launched the Construction and Design Career Fair in 2023, connecting students with more than 100 companies. In 2025, it introduced the Faculty Internship and Professional Development Program, supported by the Mississippi State Board of Contractors. The inaugural participant, Dr. Fan Zhang, completed a five-week internship with Yates Construction.

Students are further supported through national competitions, field trips and student organizations that enhance professional development and networking. The school also prioritizes recruitment through summer camps, tours and on-campus showcase events.

“The School of Construction and Design is truly the leader in Ready for Life programming at the university,” Winstead said.

School of Health Professions (School/Program Award)
The School of Health Professions was honored for launching its Introduction to Health Professions course, which exposes students to dozens of career paths through guest speakers, career shadowing and guided self-reflection. Rather than traditional exams, students develop a comprehensive career plan, building skills in interviewing, resume development and networking.

The school also requires and supports clinical, internship and field experiences as part of degree progression and demonstrates a strong commitment to high-impact practices, including interprofessional learning, undergraduate and graduate research engagement, partnerships with the Honors College and free professional networking events.

In addition, the school has established strong campus partnerships, hosts more than 20 recruitment events annually and continues to build a recruitment pipeline through summer camps and community outreach.

“The school has demonstrated a thoughtful and mission-driven approach to preparing students to be Ready for Life,” said Dr. Charleen McNeill, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, noting that enrollment growth reflects student interest, program relevance and strategic direction. 

READY FOR LIFE 2026 EMERGING CHAMPIONS

Allison (AJ) Mull (Individual Award)
Instructor, School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering (CSCE)
Mull was recognized for developing a Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering Internship Ecosystem supported by an aligned Professional Readiness Collaborative. Partnering with the university’s Pathways Center and Career Services, the initiative tailors programming to the technical needs of CSCE students through specialized training, workshops, materials and events, as well as a job-listing service focused initially on Mississippi technical employers. Executives and technical professionals will also contribute through a dedicated speaker series.

“This project strengthens life-skills development for CSCE students — particularly in problem-solving, professional communication and career navigation — through a coordinated internship and readiness initiative,” Winstead said.

School of Psychology (School/Program Award)
The School of Psychology was celebrated for developing the Transferable Skills Initiative, designed to enhance student readiness for life and work after graduation. The initiative strengthens transferable-skills training within four foundational courses — Orientation, Careers in Psychology, Research Methods and Senior Seminar — through new or redesigned assignments, including skills assessments, career development workshops, integrative research projects and mock interviews.

“This initiative includes fresh ideas for exploring career readiness for undergraduate psychology graduates,” said Dr. Trent Gould, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Legal Studies Program (School/Program Award)
The Legal Studies Program was recognized for developing simulation modules and a new Mock Trial Team to enhance experiential learning and prepare students for intercollegiate competition. The modules will strengthen courses in Property Law, Civil Litigation, Legal Drafting and Equity Practice through partnerships with the Southern Miss Legal Eagle Alumni Group.

Court documents will be adapted into classroom exhibits and supported by video reenactments of depositions and witness testimony. Similar materials are planned for the Chancery Practice course to better prepare students for family law cases.

“This initiative highlights the Legal Studies Program’s strong commitment to life-skills development while demonstrating robust support for career and professional preparation,” said Winstead.

School of Marketing (School/Program Award)
The School of Marketing was honored for developing the Hospitality Passport Program, designed to strengthen professional competencies and ease the transition from college to the hospitality industry. The program cultivates skills such as problem-solving, resilience, teamwork and emotional intelligence through applied learning tied to professional certifications and hands-on experience across five industry sectors.

The faculty-led model will integrate certifications, experiential learning and professional development into undergraduate curriculum while advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, employer partnerships and technology-enhanced instruction.

“The Hospitality Passport Program represents exactly the kind of innovative, faculty-led initiative this award celebrates,” Becton said, noting its evidence-based and mission-aligned approach to career readiness. 

SPECIAL COMMENDATIONS

Meg Brooker
Professor and Director, School of Performing and Visual Arts
Brooker proposed the Interdisciplinary Arts Research Incubator Project, which incentivizes undergraduate arts majors to generate creative research questions addressing social and cultural issues and opportunities. Modeled on similar initiatives at other R1 institutions, the project demonstrates positive student impact and advances research-informed creative practice.

Graphic Design Program
School of Performing and Visual Arts
Professor Jacob Cotton adapted ART 492 to fulfill art direction and professional practices requirements, transforming the course into a leadership cohort experience. Students attend conferences, visit professional design agencies and engage with guest speakers who share the personal and professional realities of building a career and a life in the design industry.

Through the Ready for Life Champion Awards, Southern Miss affirmed its commitment to ensuring graduates leave campus not only prepared for professional success, but equipped with the character, discernment and resilience to thrive as responsible citizens in a complex world.